In March 2008, the C.O.G.I.C Shires District held its 5th annual convention. The theme was: “Behold the Lamb of God!” based on St. John 1:29. In the following series of articles, I take an in-depth look at this verse of the scripture; exploring the message within…

The theme: ‘Behold! The Lamb of God..!’ is based on John the Baptist’ testimony of Jesus. The day before John saw Jesus, he was questioned by some authorities who were sent to find out who John claims to be. Some people thought that he was the Messiah. Others thought he was Elijah or a prophet and so they wanted to hear form the “horse’ mouth” who he claims to be. “Tell us so we can tell those who sent us.” They demanded. So John answered in the words of Isaiah, “I am a voice, shouting in the wilderness…”

Jesus was already in the crowd when he was explaining all this but it was not yet revealed to John. God had told John that he will recognise the Messiah by a dove descending on His shoulder. So the following day as Jesus came towards him, to be baptised, he recognised Jesus by the dove and exclaimed ‘Behold! The Lamb of God…’ in other words ‘Look! There is Jesus who comes to take away the sin of the world!’(John 1:29, NTL)

Through His disciples, Jesus is still walking among us today, but not many of us are able to see Him. Today He still speaks to us but not many are listening. He is still reaching out and touching lives but not many are feeling His touch. Why? Because too many who are called to bring the gospel to the world, lack the attitude which John the Baptist possessed. Not many are preaching the whole truth of the Gospel because the ‘feel good’ gospel is what the people want to hear ‘That’s what gets the numbers up – it works!’ It looks good on the outside and keeps the cash flow going. Not many are concerned with the oppressed of this world because they are not profitable to the church and so they just don’t have the time or resources to care for the needy in their midst. Too many drives the congregation to a ‘giving ministry’ but yet they do not see it fit to give back to the community—educating them on being good stewards of the money that God blesses them with. Too many are preaching but not living the gospel.

‘What is God trying to say to us through this topic?’ I asked this question because I found it hard to believe that God would send so much inspiration my way, only to have it stored away in a file, and that’s when the question came about. Personally, I believe that God is calling us to accountability and urging us to return to our ‘first love’. The church is currently going through a season of confusion where self has taken centre stage and tradition has somehow become gospel. What we believe is the right way forward moves into first gear instead of waiting on God’s timing. With this confusion within the church, many have become disillusioned and are struggling with their belief. God is saying: ‘Come out from among them…’ Today, we are being given another chance to get ‘back to basics’ and Behold the Lamb of God’.

It’s a time for soul-searching; confession; replenishing and a new start. God wants to clean us up and re-train us to walk in His will. It is time to behold the Lamb of God.

I pray that you will find what God is saying to you as individuals and as a group. And I pray that we will all move forward in Christ. Behold the Lamb who leads you back to your Heavenly Father. He is waiting to welcome you home.

‘Exploring the message within…’ is a four part article: Part 1 explores what it means to ‘Observe the ways of Christ’. Part 2, looks at the display of ‘self’ on the pulpit with ‘Self must die for the church to move forward’. Part 3 urges us to be prepared: ‘Get busy preparing’. Part 4 deals with the deliverance that comes from observing and walking in the ways of Christ: ‘I Am your Deliverer’. The series of articles are then summarised in the conclusion which includes a prayer ‘Abba Father’.

****************Exploring the Message Within consists of the following parts:

Introduction: http://faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=133592

Part 1 ~ Observe the Ways of Christ: http://faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=133602

Part 2 ~ Self Must Die for the Church to Move Forward: http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=133605

Absolutely and amen! Your words are Truth and for many very uncomfortable. A prayer for all willing to hear God's Voice calling and preparing us so we might have eyes to see and ears to hear - to 'Behold the Lamb of God'!